Do you consider yourself a good multitasker?
There are pros and cons of working on multiple things at once. However, according to many experts, it may not be as effective as you think. One study showed that only 2.5 percent of people can multitask effectively! Is it a skill you should develop? Or is there a more effective way to get things done?
Let’s take a deeper look at multitasking, and its pros and cons.
What Is Multitasking?
Multitasking is the act of doing multiple tasks at once— for example, reviewing a document while responding to text messages, all while listening to your coworker tell a story about their weekend.
The word “multitasking” implies you can do two or more tasks at the same time. But this is a bit misleading.
Our brains can only focus on one thing at a time, and we have to switch back and forth between tasks. Since this cognitive process is rapid, it creates the illusion that we’re focusing on multiple things at once. You might spend a few seconds reading a document. Then, when a text notification pops up, you concentrate on the contents of the message. Meanwhile, your coworker is sharing a story, but only a part of your brain is processing what’s being said.
This type of task-switching takes a toll on your productivity, as well as your ability to retain information.
The Positive Effects of Multitasking
There are a few potential multitasking benefits.
Meet Deadlines Easier
If you have multiple tasks due by a certain date, multitasking may help you meet deadlines more easily.
This will be most useful for simple and mundane tasks. For example, if you need to answer emails and update your website, multitasking may help you complete both tasks within the desired timeframe.
By doing multiple tasks simultaneously, you may be able to get more done in a shorter amount of time.
Complete Multiple Simple Tasks at Once
If you have to complete several simple tasks, multitasking might be appropriate.
For example, you might be able to make copies while also responding to text messages or making a phone call.
However, if any of the tasks are complex or require your full attention, multitasking may not be the best option.
The Negative Effects of Multitasking
There are some pros to multitasking, but most experts agree that it tends to do more harm than good. Here are the drawbacks of multitasking.
Decreased Productivity
Many people try multitasking because they think it makes them more productive. In reality, the opposite is true.
Research shows that productivity decreases by up to 40 percent when people constantly switch from task to task. Task-switching requires your brain to re-focus each time you move on to a new task.
This process wastes valuable energy and time, which ultimately decreases your productivity.
Diminished Performance
Multitasking diminishes your performance.
It’s difficult to give your full attention to multiple tasks at once. When you try to complete several tasks simultaneously, all of them will likely suffer. This is especially true if the tasks are complex or require critical thinking.
For example, if you’re working on a challenging project while trying to explain a concept to a colleague, chances are neither task will receive your full attention.
The work project will suffer and your teaching ability will be less impactful since you’re not fully present.
This leads to mistakes, forcing you to go back and fix things in the future — further decreasing your performance and productivity.
Increases Stress
Trying to complete multiple tasks at once can be stressful.
Since multitasking reduces performance and productivity, you’ll struggle to keep up with your work demands. This leaves you feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. Or worse — burnout.
When you’re constantly trying to juggle too much, it takes a toll on your mental and emotional health. If the cycle continues, chronic stress can lead to health problems and illnesses, such as cancer, coronary heart disease, accidental injuries, respiratory disorders, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.
If you regularly try to multitask, you’ll likely find your stress levels increase.
Affects Mental Health
Expanding on the point above, ongoing stress from multitasking can harm your mental health.
Those who frequently engage in heavy media-multitasking, for instance, have been shown to have reduced grey matter in their brains. Grey matter makes up the outer layer of the brain and plays a key role in helping humans function normally — it controls movement, memory retention, emotional regulation, and more.
Smaller grey matter density is linked to negative psychosocial and cognitive abilities. And those who experience reductions in the grey matter are more likely to struggle with mental health issues like depression.
The stress brought on by multitasking could also trigger or worsen symptoms for those who struggle with anxiety disorders.
Weakens Short-Term Memory
Multitasking also makes it harder to remember the information you’re taking in.
Studies show that people who frequently multitask perform worse on simple memory tasks. Multitasking requires the human brain to rapidly switch from one task to another. And when you do this, the information from the first task isn’t fully processed before you move on to the next one.
As a result, it’s more difficult for you to remember what you were doing or learning.
How to Stop Multitasking
If you want to improve your productivity and performance, it’s important to find ways to break your multitasking habits in key areas of your life.
These tips can help.
1. Mute Notifications
One of the easiest ways to stop multitasking is to mute notifications on your devices. This includes push notifications, text messages, and email alerts.
When you mute notifications, you’re less likely to be distracted. This allows you to focus on the task at hand without being interrupted.
Muting notifications makes it harder to get distracted.
2. Use an Autoresponder
An autoresponder is a great way to limit distractions while you’re working.
It allows you to set up an automated response that will be sent to anyone who tries to contact you. This way, you can let people know when you’re unavailable and prevent interruptions.
You can get back to them at your earliest convenience.
3. Establish Office Hours
Setting “office hours” is a good way to stop multitasking.
This involves setting specific times when you’re available to answer calls, respond to emails, and take care of other work-related tasks.
This gives you time for uninterrupted focus, and lets others know when they can expect a response from you.
4. Replace Multitasking with Deep Work
Deep work involves giving one task your full attention with no distractions.
Make time in your schedule for this type of work rather than trying to do several things at once.
This can help you get more done in less time, and improve the quality of your work.
Next Steps: Goodbye Multitasking
While multitasking may seem like a good way to get more done in less time, it can actually have the opposite effect.
It makes you less productive, increases your stress levels, damages your mental health, and weakens your short-term memory. If you want to increase productivity, it’s important to find ways to break your multitasking habits in key areas of your life.
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Originally published at https://phase.undock.com.
